Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ERECTABLE SHELTER WITH THREE WAY AWNING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to folding, collapsible stru.ctures, and more
particularly relates to an awning assembly for a shelter having a canopy
portion
with an upper framework, and at least two adjacent legs supporting the canopy
portion, the awning assembly adapted to be removably mounted to at least two
adjacent legs.
2. General Background and State of the Art:
Temporary shelters that can be easily transported and rapidly set up at
emergency sites can be particularly useful in providing temporary care and
housing.
Such shelters can also be useful for non-emergency outdoor gatherings, such as
for
temporary military posts, field trips, and the like. It would be desirable to
provide
an improved collapsible shelter with a multipurpose awning that can be moved
to
different positions to provide shade and to serve as a holder for signage. It
would
also be desirable to provide a modular multipurpose awning that is adapted to
mounted to an existing shelter and that can be moved to different positions to
provide shade and to serve as a holder for signage. The present invention
fulfills
these and other needs.
INVENTION SUMMARY
Briefly, and in general terms, the invention provides for an awning assembly
for a shelter that is adapted to be removably mounted to two or more adjacent
legs
of the shelter. The awning is removably mounted so that it can be moved
between a
downwardly directed vertical position and an upwardly directed vertical
position,
and to an intermediate horizontal position between the downwardly directed
vertical
position and an upwardly directed vertical position, allowing the awning to
provide
shade and to serve as a holder for signage.
Accordingly, the present invention provides for an awning assembly for a
shelter having a canopy portion with an upper framework, and two or more
adjacent
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legs supporting the canopy portion, and the awning being adapted to be
removably
mounted to the two or more adjacent legs of the shelter. The present invention
also
provides for a combination of a shelter and an awning assembly.
The awning assembly inchldes left and right awning support arms, each
awning support arm including an elongated rod portion with a proximal end
portion
for pivotally mounting the awning support arm to a corresponding one of the
legs of
the shelter, and an awning shade portion removably mounted to the left and
right
awning support arms. The left and right awning support arms and the awning
shade
portion are advantageously movable between a downwardly directed vertical
position and an upwardly directed vertical position, and in a presently
preferred
aspect, are movable to an intermediate horizontal position between the
downwardly
directed vertical position and an upwardly directed vertical position.
In a preferred aspect, the awning shade portion includes left and right side
sleeves for receiving the left and right awning support arms, respectively. In
a
presently preferred aspect, the awning shade portion has opposing flat sides,
and the
awning shade portion further includes means for mounting a banner to one of
the
flat sides of the awning shade portion. In another presently preferred aspect,
the
means for mounting a banner includes a pouch formed of a sheet of clear
plastic
material attached to the one of the flat sides of the awning shade portion,
and the
pouch inch.ldes an opening for receiving the banner to be displayed. The
awning
shade portion may also include one or more fastener straps for securing the
awning
shade portion to the shelter.
The proximal end portion of the elongated rod portion comprises a
connecting bracket having a leg connector portion for removable connection to
one
of the legs of the shelter, and an adjustable pivot mount portion in which the
proximal end of the elongated rod portion is pivotally mounted. In a preferred
aspect, the proximal end portion of the elongated rod portion comprises a
cylindrical pivoting member pivotally mounted in the adjustable pivot mount
portion. In another preferred aspect, the connecting bracket comprises a first
journal arm, a second journal arm, and a center strut extending
perpendicularly
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between the first journal arm and the second journal arm, the first journal
arm
including a first end on one side of the center strut, and a second end on an
opposing side of the strut, and the second journal arm including a first end
on the
same side of the center sti-Lit as the first end of the first journal arm, and
a second
end terminating adjacent to the center strut, the cylindrical pivoting member
being
pivotally mounted between the first and second journal arms.
The first journal arm includes a locking arm having a first end and a second
end, the first end being pivotally connected to the second end of the first
journal
arm, and the second end being removably connectable to the second end of the
second journal arm. The second end of the locking arm comprises a tongue
member projecting from the second end of the locking arm, and the second end
of
the second journal arin includes a corresponding slot that receives the tongue
member. The tongue member includes a first hole, and the second end of the
second journal arm includes a second hole that is aligned with the first hole
when
the tongue member is received in the slot, whereby the locking arm can be
locked in
a closed position, connecting the second end of the locking arm to the second
journal arm. A threaded locking pin is adapted to be inserted through the
second
hole in second end of the second journal arm and through the first hole in the
tongue member when the first and second holes are aligned. The locking arm has
inner surface including a locking tab that is adapted to be received in a
corresponding awning mounting hole formed in a desired location on the
corresponding leg of the collapsible shelter.
In another presently preferred aspect, the adjustable pivot mount portion
includes a clamping mechanism including a handle with a connecting shaft which
is
threadedly connected to the cylindrical pivoting member through a hole in the
first
journal arm, to thereby allow the cylindrical pivoting member to be clamped in
a
desired position.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments
in
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conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of
example,
the operation of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art collapsible shelter.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsible shelter with a three-way awning
according to the invention, with the awning shown in a downward vertical
position.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible shelter with a three-way awning
according to the invention, with the awning shown in a horizontal position.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a collapsible shelter with a three-way awning
according to the invention, with the awning shown in a upright vertical
position.
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the three-way awning of Fig. 2.
Fig. 6A is a top plan view of the left support arm of the three-way awning of
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6B is a top plan view of the right support arm of the tluee-way awning
of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the connecting bracket of the left support arm of
Fig. 6A, in a closed configuration.
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the connecting bracket of the right support arm
of
Fig. 6B, in a closed configuration.
Fig. 9 is a rear view of the cormecting bracket of the left support arm of
Fig.
6A, in a closed configuration.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the connecting bracket of the right support
ann of Fig. 6B, in a closed configuration.
Fig. 11 is another perspective view of the connecting bracket of the right
support arm of Fig. 6B, in an opened configuration.
Fig. 12 is an illustration of the awning mounting hole on a leg of the
collapsible shelter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ElVIB ODIMENTS
As is illustrated in Fig. 1, a shelter, such as a prior art collapsible
shelter 10,
includes a canopy portion 12 with three or more sides 14, and three or more
corners
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16. Such a prior art collapsible shelter typically has four sides and four
corners.
Legs 18 are typically provided at each corner to support the canopy. A
collapsible
framework 20, typically including a perimeter truss framework and a central
truss
framework, is connected to the legs to stabilize and support the collapsible
shelter.
Referring to Figs. 2-4, the present invention provides for a shelter 30, such
as
a collapsible shelter, including a canopy portion 32 with tluee or more sides
34, and
three or more corners 36. In a presently preferred aspect, the collapsible
shelter has
four sides and four corners. The canopy portion includes a canopy cover 33
typically formed of nylon fabric, so as to be light and easily transportable,
although
the canopy portion may be made of other similar sheet materials, such as
canvass,
or other types of cloth fabric, or plastic. Legs 38 are typically provided at
each
corner to support the canopy. The canopy portion also includes a collapsible
framework 40, inch.iding a perimeter truss framework and a central tiuss
framework, is connected to the legs to stabilize and support the collapsible
shelter,
as is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,490,533, which is incorporated by
reference
herein.
As is illustrated in Fig. 2-4, the present invention also provides for a three-
way awning 42 that can be mounted to two adjacent legs of the collapsible
shelter.
Once mounted to the legs of the collapsible shelter, the awning can moved
between
a downwardly directed vertical position 44, shown in Fig. 2, and an upwardly
directed vertical position 46, shown in Fig. 4. The awning can also be moved
to an
intermediate horizontal position 48, shown in Fig. 3.
Referring to Fig. 5, the awning includes an awning shade portion 50, which
is typically generally rectangular, having a length along an outer side 52 and
an
inner side 54, and a width along a left side 56 and a right side 58. One or
more
fastener straps 59 may be attached to the inner side, or the left or right
sides, for
further securing the awning shade portion to the framework or legs of the
shelter.
The fastener straps currently preferably include hook and loop fasteners, but
may
alternatively be straps with other types of fasteners, such as snaps or
buttons, for
exainple. Alternatively, the awning shade portion may take other geometric or
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artistic forms, as desired. The awning shade portion is typically made of a
nylon
fabric, similar to the material of the canopy cover, although the awning shade
portion may likewise be made of other similar sheet materials of one or more
plys,
such as canvass, or other types of cloth fabric, or plastic. In one aspect,
the awning
shade portion advantageously includes a means 60 for mounting a banner 62 to a
flat side 64 of the awning shade portion, such as a pouch 66, typically formed
of a
sheet of clear plastic material attached to the flat side of the awning shade
portion at
at least two sides of the pouch, leaving at least one side 68 of the pouch
open for
receiving the banner to be displayed. The awning shade portion also
advantageously includes left and right side sleeves 70, 72, for receiving left
awning
support arm 74 and right awning support arin 76, respectively, illustrated in
Figs. 5,
6A and 6B. The left and right awning support arms include an elongated rod
portion 78, having a distal end portion 80 typically covered with a protective
cap
82. A proximal end portion 84 of the elongated rod portion of each of the left
and
right awning support arms is advantageously attached to a cylindrical pivoting
member 86, which is pivotally mounted at a proximal end 88 to left and right
connecting brackets 90, 92, respectively, which are illustrated in Figs. 7-11.
The left and right connecting brackets are substantially mirror images of
each other, so that only the connecting bracket of the right support arm will
be
described in detail. The connecting bracket of the right support arm, shown in
a
closed configuration in Fig. 7, includes a center strut 94 extending
perpendicularly
between a first journal arm 96 and a second journal arm 98, between which the
cylindrical pivoting member is pivotally mounted. The first journal arm
includes a
first end 100 on one side of the center strut, and a second end 102 on the
opposing
side of the strut. The second journal arm includes a first end 104 on the same
side
of the center strut as the first end of the first journal arm, and a second
end 106
terminating adjacent to the center strut. A clamping mechanism 108 includes a
generally circular handle or dial 110 and a center shaft 112 which is
threadedly
connected to the cylindrical pivoting member through a hole in the first
journal arm,
to allow the cylindrical pivoting member to be clamped in a desired position,
such
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as to set the right support extending from a leg in a downwardly projecting
vertical
position, an upwardly projecting vertical position, or in an intermediate
position
such as a horizontal intermediate position. The right connecting bracket also
includes a locking arm 116 having a first end 118 pivotally connected to the
second
end of the first journal arm, and a second end 120 removably connectable to
the
second end of the second journal arm.
As is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, in a currently preferred aspect, the
second end of the locking arm includes a tongue member 122 projecting from the
second end of the locking arm, and the second end of the second journal arm
includes a corresponding groove or slot 124 that receives the tongue member.
Extending through the tongue inember is a hole 126, that is aligned with a
corresponding hole through the second end of the second journal arm when the
tongue meinber is received in the slot, allowing the locking arm to locked in
a
closed position, connecting the second end of the locking arm to the second
journal
arm, by insertion of a threaded locking pin 128 through the hole in second end
of
the second journal arm and through the hole in the tongue member. The threaded
locking pin includes a shaft 130 with a head 132 at one end, and threads 134
at an
opposing end 136 that mates with corresponding internal threads in the hole
through
the second journal arm second end. The locking arm currently preferably is a
right
angle member to conform to a corresponding right angle shape of a leg of the
collapsible shelter, and includes a locking tab 138 on the inner surface 140
of the
locking arm that is adapted to be received in a corresponding awning mounting
hole
142 formed in a desired location on the leg of the collapsible shelter, shown
in Fig.
12.
Thus, in an open configuration, the connecting bracket may be attached to
the leg of the collapsible shelter by placing the center strut of the
connecting
bracket in abutment with the leg of the collapsible shelter, pivoting the
locking arm
of the connecting bracket to a closed configuration with the locking tab
juxtaposed
with and inserted in the corresponding hole on the leg of the collapsible
shelter,
placing the tongue member of the locking arm in the corresponding slot of the
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second journal arm, and securing the threaded locking pin through the hole in
second end of the second journal arin and through the hole in the tongue
member.
The three-way shelter awning can thus be mounted to the legs of an upright
shelter, such as a collapsible shelter that has been set up, by locating the
awning
mounting holes in adjacent legs of the shelter, typically located just below
the
perimeter framework of the shelter. The left and right awning support arms are
preferably mounted to the adjacent legs of the shelter with the dials of the
clamping
mechanisms of the connecting brackets facing outwardly from the shelter. With
th.e
connecting brackets in an open configuration, the center struts of the
connecting
brackets are placed in abutment with the legs opposite the awning mounting
holes,
and the locking arms are closed about the legs with the locking tabs inserted
in the
awning mounting holes. The locking pins of the connecting brackets are then
dropped into the corresponding holes of the connecting brackets and the
locking
arms are secured by screwing the locking pins in the corresponding holes of
the
connecting brackets. The awning support arms may then be rotated to extend in
a
horizontal intermediate position, and the dials of the clamping mechanisms of
the
support arms are turned to secure the support arms in position. The awning
fabric
may then be mounted to the support arms by sliding the sleeves of the awning
over
the support arms, wit11 the banner pouch facing the ground. The fastener
straps of
the awning can then be looped around and fastened to appropriate portions of
the
shelter perimeter framework or the legs of the shelter to further secure the
fabric of
the awning to the shelter.
After the three-way shelter awning is installed on the legs of the shelter,
the
awning can be rotated to a downwardly directed vertical position to provide
additional shade, such as to block sunlight from a rising or setting sun, for
example,
or can be rotated to an upwardly directed vertical position to display a
banner
inserted in the banner pouch. The clamping mechanisms of the support arms can
be
loosened by turning the dials of the clamping mechanisms counterclockwise, the
support arms then can be rotated downward or upward to the desired position,
and
then the clamping mechanisms of the support arms can be tightened by turning
the
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dials of the clamping mechanisms clockwise. When a banner or other signage is
to
be displayed in the banner pouch, the banner or other signage can be inserted
in the
banner pouch when the awning is in the horizontal intermediate position, after
which the awning is rotated upwardly, or can be inserted in the banner pouch
when
the awning is in the upwardly directed vertical position.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the
invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be
made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it
is not
intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
